French Lick Resort: Donald Ross Course
French Lick, IN • Public
Brian Walers Photography
Brian Walers Photography
Brian Walers Photography
courtesy of French Lick Resort
courtesy of French Lick Resort
courtesy of French Lick Resort
Brian Walers Photography
Overview
If the 2009 Pete Dye course at this historic resort in southern Indiana (ranked no. 118 on America's Second 100 Greatest Courses) is an acrobat swinging trapezes through circles of flame along the site's elevated bluffs, the 1917 Donald Ross course is more of a street-level tilt-a-whirl with holes that rise, fall and roll repeatedly over a gorgous meadow property. Each nine crests over ridges and ride into hollows, rising toward well-bunkered greens that flank slightly crowned putting surfaces. This is an Old World/New World contrast, with both the Dye and Ross courses achieving what they set out to do architecturally, but in rather different ways. Depending on their mood and appreciation for allowing land movements rather than bulldozers to dictate design and direction, golfer's at French Lick often prefer the nuance and nature of the Ross course.
About
Awards
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2011-'20. Highest ranking: No. 83, 2015-'16.
Best in State: Ranked fifth, 2019-'20. Ranked sixth, 2013-'18, 2023-'24. Ranked seventh, 2011-'12, 2021-'22.
Current ranking: Sixth.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Solid design with great greens complexes. Not as difficult as its sister course and more fun to play."
Read More2020
Review
“Playable resort course that is also challenging for the low handicapper, but riddled with cart paths that diminish the beauty."
Read More2018
Review
“Really enjoyed this course. Had a couple of quirky holes (8 and 9). The par 3's were really difficult. Overall a good layout and some of the classic Donald Ross greens (I spent the whole day short siding the pin, bad plan)."
Read More2018
Review
“I love this golf course. I am nostalgic for the courses designed by Ross and Raynor. This Ross classic has hosted notable events including the 1924 PGA Champoinship won by Walter Hagen. You may think the course is easy, but this is far from true. The par threes on this course are as hard as any you will ever play. I hit hybrids and fairway woods into a couple of them. The bunkering is marvelous on this course with fairways well framed. The clubhouse and restaurant are the perfect fit for this course in rural Indiana. If you want a great golf getaway in a great part of the country, go to French Lick and play the Ross Course."
Read More2018
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